Visitor Center to Maryland Heights Loop

Visitor Center to Maryland Heights Loop is a 9.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

DISTANCE

9.5 miles

ELEVATION GAIN

1771 feet

ROUTE TYPE

Loop

dogs on leash

kid friendly

birding

hiking

nature trips

trail running

walking

forest

river

views

waterfall

wild flowers

wildlife

blowdown

rocky

snow

We took our dog from the visitors center up to the overlook. Its a beautiful walk about 9 miles round trip. Well marked with very clear paths. We went in March and I bet in warmer months it gets popular on weekends, so be prepared for crowds.

Great hike with many wonderful views. When you come down the steps from visitors center and cross over the road there is a sign for the River trail. This trail follows the Shenandoah into Harpers ferry as well. It is not well maintained and there are no markers but a clear trail that follows the river. Beautiful scenery especially at daybreak. The round trip to Maryland heights then back thru Harpers ferry makes for a great day of hiking.

We missed the last 6:45 bus in town back to the visitors center. We hiked in dark but had flashlights. This hike would have been fine if:1. We hadn't done part of the Maryland Heights hike snd were tired from it and 2. Stayed on the road because it was dark instead of going up 97 stone awkward steps even with flashlights. Some steps have high risers and I found hard as a shorter person. At that point it was after 8:00 and I think it would have been safe to stay on the road as most people would be gone and not driving on it. There is a path next to the road for most of this trail. I believe the steps area equates to .3 miles and going down would be ok but I don't think I'd go up them again.